SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA – The Shell Foundation and Odyssey Energy Solutions’ Powering Health platform have selected five electricity providers for a pilot program to electrify several healthcare facilities in sub-Saharan Africa.
The companies will install solar photovoltaic systems in these facilities.
The companies were selected based on their experience in implementing solar PV electrification projects, their ability to complete the work within 3 to 10 months of receiving the funds, or their ability to obtain more than 50% of the funds needed to implement the project from other financial partners.
The companies were selected via a tender launched on March 25th, 2021, as part of a pilot program to test innovative financing mechanisms that can help expand the electrification of healthcare facilities in sub-Saharan Africa.
The program is co-developed by the Shell Foundation and Odyssey Energy Solutions’ Powering Health platform.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Nuru will receive a performance-based grant to electrify four hospitals, as well as community health centers in Tadu and Faradje.
In the DRC, Nuru has already built up a strong track record with its solar off-grid projects, notably in the city of Goma where hundreds of households are benefiting from its electricity network.
The Shell Foundation program also benefits Aress, known for its solar home systems that bring electricity to rural areas.
“Initial data and insights will be shared with a small group of donors focusing on the link between energy and health later this year to improve efficiency in the sector, with a final post-project report expected in 2022”
Shell Foundation
The Cotonou-based company will install off-grid solar systems to provide electricity to 15 private hospitals in Benin.
In Nigeria, two companies have been selected: Havenhill Synergy will generate solar power for 15 clinics in Oyo State, thanks to a guarantee from the pilot program while the US-based WindGen Power will provide clean energy to a peri-urban hospital in Bubwa, in Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (Abuja).
In Mozambique, Zhyphen will provide electricity from a solar photovoltaic system to a private hospital in Niassa Province.
“Initial data and insights will be shared with a small group of donors focusing on the link between energy and health later this year to improve efficiency in the sector, with a final post-project report expected in 2022,” said the Shell Foundation.
As part of the pilot program to solarise healthcare facilities in sub-Saharan Africa, Odyssey will use its Powering Health platform to collect data throughout the project lifecycle to provide information on the technical performance and economic model of these projects.
The program is supported by the Rockefeller Foundation and co-funded by the UK government.
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